Memorial Day Weekend is finally here and you know what that means — it’s officially outdoor drinking season! After long winter months of hibernation, followed by the hopeful weeks of spring that always end up being colder than we remember, summer has officially arrived, and we’re ready to take our sipping outdoors once and for all. Whether drinking on the beach or posted up on your patio, we can all agree that nothing tastes as refreshing as an ice-cold beer. We’ve rounded up nine of our favorite canned beers to enjoy this MDW. The theme? All-American, of course.
Westbrook Gose
This classic German-style sour wheat beer is perfect for sipping beneath the sun. Brewed with coriander and salt, Westbrook’s Gose (pronounced “Gose-uh”) is an extremely refreshing choice, and at only 4 percent alcohol, you can safely slug it back all day long.
Evil Twin Brewing Citra Sunshine Slacker
This low-alcohol (4.5 percent ABV) session IPA brims with bright citrus flavors and hints of salt. Ideal for day-drinking among friends, we recommend grabbing a few cases.
21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Watermelon
Hell or High Watermelon is always a summertime staple here at VinePair. This simple American wheat beer is brewed with real, fresh watermelon. Since it’s only around from April to September, we’d make the most of its availability this season, starting with MDW.
Sixpoint Sweet Action
Established in 2004, this classic cream ale displays both malty sweetness and a balanced bitterness on the palate. The beer is brewed with Huell Melon hops, giving the brew a pleasant, melon-y presence.
Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale
Because it wouldn’t be an All-American roundup without Dale’s Pale Ale! Dubbed America’s first-craft-canned mountain pale, the brew presents strong, hoppy notes on the nose, followed by a citrusy, refreshing palate.
Whale’s Tale Pale Ale
This whale hails from Nantucket, New England, a.k.a. the beer-drinking-on-a-boat capital of the Northeast. Notes of fresh apple are present on both the nose and mouth, rounded out by grainy bitterness.
Founders All Day IPA
This Michigan-based American IPA shows aromas of piney citrus, followed by an extremely light, refreshing palate of juicy grapefruit. It’s an all-around crowd pleaser with a history you should really read about.
Sam Adams Summer Ale
An American classic, this wheat ale is brewed with lemon and grains of paradise — a rare African spice first used in brewing as early as the 1200s! Crisp and lemon zesty, this beer was made for summertime.
Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils
This Czech pilsner created by Oskar Blues is fermented at cool temperatures with German yeast and Bavarian hops. Light, crisp, and pleasantly bitter, this brew was made for summer BBQs.
